SARAWAK LIVE: See Chee How

See: Let’s not wait for another flash flood before we act

KUCHING: Members of the august House have been urged not to wait for another flash flood in Kuching to occur before realising they have not done anything to resolve or mitigate this problem.

See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang) said flash floods had threatened the lives and properties of urban dwellers, paralysing and incapacitating important public institutions such as the Sarawak General Hospital, schools and even the state police headquarters and Fire and Rescue Department.

“We have lost two precious lives to flash floods in Kuching four years ago. But barely a month ago, there was another news report that a trainee nurse fell into the monsoon drain of strong flowing water. She was lucky her colleague managed to grab her arm in the nick of time,” he said in his debate on the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s address yesterday.

See commended Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) for taking steps to plan, design and tender out projects to tackle flash floods in and around Padang Merdeka.

“However, as the Honourable Kuching North City Mayor had said, it requires the joint efforts of all departments and authorities concerned to ensure that the methods and solutions to tackle flash floods are effective. I do earnestly believe that this administration is serious with arresting the problem of flash floods in Kuching city.”

As the state government had approved the Sarawak Urban Storm Water Management Manual (SUStoM) for new development areas as a long term measure to tackle flash flood problem, he hoped a copy of this manual would be made available to all elected representatives.

See also hoped the State Planning Authority and local authorities had the political will to implement the terms and measures contained in the manual.

“Let it not be the case whereby existing good laws and regulations are not enforced. A case in point is Section 23 of the Building Ordinance 1994, whereby local authorities may give landowners and developers to cause proper drains to be constructed or laid for premises that are not properly drained.”

See noted that for the medium term, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had revealed that it involved upgrading major drain outlets in certain areas, including Sarawak General Hospital (at a cost of RM15 million), Jalan Batu Lintang (RM20 million), Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho (RM25 million), Federal Quarters (RM15 million), Sungai Tabuan dredging works (RM2 million) and Taman Malihah (RM22 million).

“I hope the Honourable Minister will enlighten us in his winding-up speech whether the implementation of these medium term measures are included in the projects that are approved under the first rolling plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan amounting to RM357 million and when can we expect these projects to be tendered out and be completed.”

In noting that flood and flash floods mitigation projects in Sarawak was an area that had been long neglected by the Federation, See said one of the first studies for flood and flash flood mitigation, was completed with the help of experts from the Netherlands in 1985, but the project proposals were shelved.

“If the flood mitigation measures and projects were carried out 30 years back, they would have cost only a fraction of what they will cost us today, and we would not have suffered the losses and damage of flash floods today, not forgetting that the holistic studies had also covered advices on planning of urban development.”

Therefore, See said the state administration must show their commitment to arrest the problems today and to implement the projects to ensure that the future wellbeing of the state and the people were secured.

“We can agree that devolution of power will take time, but the federation must be made to see the urgency of the matters involved.

“We are giving time for those in Putrajaya at our own peril. Our Honourable Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing (Datuk Fatimah Abdullah) had earlier revealed that we have more than 400 schools classified as high risk. That is another of the many areas that speaks of the neglects by the Federation.”- Borneo Post

Etnik tidak harus jadi faktor pilih TKM

KUCHING: Etnik tidak harus menjadi faktor memilih siapa timbalan ketua menteri sebaliknya ia harus berasaskan merit atau prestasi parti politik.

Naib Pengerusi PKR Negeri See Chee How berkata, malahan pemilihan berkenaan harus jauh daripada bersifat perkauman dan politik pecah dan perintah.

Jelasnya, ia hanya akan memecahbelahkan semua rakyat dalam masyarakat negeri ini yang mempunyai kepelbagaian perkauman.

“Daripada pemerhatian saya, Ketua Menteri boleh menamakan menteri kaum Cina sebagai timbalannya bukan kerana kepentingan politik peribadi dan tidak berpengalaman.

“Jika Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian menunjukkan kepimpinan dan membawa balik semua bekas pemimpin SUPP tanpa sebarang prasyarat kepada ketua menteri untuk melantik timbalannya, SUPP boleh mempunyai 12 wakil rakyat.

“Dengan demikian SUPP kedua di belakang PBB dan ketua menteri boleh menamakan Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian atau Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh sebagai timbalan ketua menteri berdasarkan merit politik,” katanya kepada Utusan Borneo di sini semalam.

Mengulas mengenai barisan kabinet baharu dibentuk, See yang juga ADUN Batu Lintang berkata, ia jauh daripada jangkaan rakyat Sarawak.

Katanya, beliau menjangkakan kabinet melantik seorang menteri kanan menjaga untuk tugas khas terutamanya memberi tumpuan kepada mendapatkan semula hak autonomi negeri Sarawak.

“Selain sokongan yang besar untuk Pasukan Adenan, propaganda dan manifesto BN untuk pilihan raya negeri baharu berakhir memberi tumpuan kepada memperjuangkan hak dan autonomi Sarawak.

“Ia memberi gambaran kepada ramai rakyat Sarawak terutama di kawasan luar bandar dan pinggir bandar sehingga adanya peralihan sokongan yang memihak kepada BN,” tegasnya.

See tidak menafikan semenjak pentadbiran Adenan sebagai ketua menteri pada 26 bulan lepas, beliau konsisten dengan semangat memperjuang hak negeri Sarawak dan menggesa rakyat untuk berdiri teguh di belakangnya dengan memberi lima tahun dalam usaha mengambil balik hak istimewa milik Sarawak.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, barisan kabinet baharu tidak mencerminkan aspirasi rakyat Sarawak untuk memberi keutamaan kepada transformasi luar bandar, memandangkan ia hanya mengulangi iaitu keperluan untuk kemudahan asas, infrastruktur dan pembangunan luar bandar.

- Borneo Post Online

Adenan known to be a good Chief Minister: See Chee How

KUCHING: They say breakfast is for champions and PKR Batu Lintang candidate See Chee How should know a thing or two about being a champion.

See, who is state PKR vice chairman, was at Friendship Park in Jalan Song yesterday to serve breakfast to members of the public as part of his personal approach in reaching out to the people.

At the same time, See also took the opportunity to pay tribute to all mothers by presenting carnations to them in commemoration of Mother’s Day that falls on May 8.

In his speech, he called on the people to vote good opposition candidates from PKR, DAP and Amanah to the State Legislative Assembly to ensure that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem fulfil his promises in the next five years.

“We need a very strong opposition presence in the state assembly. If they (opposition candidates) are good, we need to make sure we send them to the state assembly so that they can help to supervise, monitor and have check and balance.”

See also reminded those present that it is their duty to ensure a better future for their children so that one day, they could tell their children that they had tried their best and put in their effort for a better Sarawak.

Meanwhile, when reaching out to the public through ‘Watch The Game with Chee How’ on Sunday in conjunction with a football match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Porkies at Jalan Song, here, See said engaging the public in such a way would enable a two-way conversation between the candidate and them.

“There is no way you engage with your candidate or some of the political leaders if it is a ‘ceramah’. It is very much a one-way thing where they talk and you listen. Through an opportunity like this, we can make it into a two-way communication.”

He said by going table to table to engage with the public, it would enable him to personally attend to questions and sharing by the people, apart from taking their advice or ideas on what can be done to make Sarawak better which he really values and cherishes.

“There are a lot of things that we can all do together to make our beloved state, Sarawak a better place and I believe this can come from the feedbacks and ideas that you can share with us.

“In urban areas like this, I believe there are a lot of people who know a lot of things better than me so you can give me some advice where you can tell us what we can do to make it better for ourselves, state and country.”

He said while the state can have Adenan who is known to be a good chief minister, the state could also have a lot of opposition leaders who are good as well.-Borneo Post

Rekod buruk AP mampu lenyapkan aspirasi Pasukan Adenan : PKR

KUCHING: Ahli Parlimen Betong, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas digesa menunjuk rekod memperjuangkan autonomi, hak dan kepentingan Sarawak sepanjang 30 tahun menjadi Ahli Parlimen serta berada dalam kabinet persekutuan.

Naib Pengerusi Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak, See Chee How berkata pendedahan rekodnya (Uggah) penting kepadanya sebagai usaha memenangi keyakinan rakyat terutama pengundi Bukit Saban seterusnya menjadi Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) dan Timbalan Ketua Menteri selepas pilihan raya negeri (PRN) nanti.

“Ini penting bagi Uggah yanMg merupakan Menteri Perusahaan Perladangan dan Komoditi dan Ahli Parlimen selama 30 tahun untuk mendedah apa telah beliau lakukan mengenai autonomi, hak serta kepentingan Sarawak dalam parlimen sejak hari pertama dipilih pada 1986 dan kabinet persekutuan selepas dilantik sebagai timbalan menteri dan menteri penuh,” ujarnya.

See juga ADUN Batu Lintang berkata demikian pada sidang media di pejabat PKR cawangan Stampin dekat sini semalam.

See menggesa Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem mengambil langkah berhati-hati dalam menyenarai ahli parlimen sedia ada dalam pasukannya (Pasukan Adenan) bagi menghadapi PRN akan datang dan kabinet negeri bagi lima tahun akan datang.

Ini kerana katanya, ahli parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) mempunyai rekod prestasi buruk kerana ia menunjuk aspirasi ketua menteri bagi automoni penuh Sarawak lenyap dengan segera.

“Ketua Menteri bercakap mahu membawa balik selain Uggah, Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar dan Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof untuk bertanding pada PRN kali ini.

“Ketua menteri mungkin juga melihat untuk membina pasukannya terdiri daripada ahli kabinet sebagai pembantunya boleh dipercayai selepas pilihan raya nanti,” ujarnya.

Bagaimanapun, kata See, Adenan seharusnya mengambil berat terhadap aspirasi Sarawak untuk autonomi yang lebih baik seperti dijanjikannya.

Menurutnya lagi, tindakan membawa ‘balik’ ahli parlimen Sarawak untuk PRN kali ini dan kabinetnya tidak akan konsisten dengan ikrarnya kerana Ahli Parlimen menunjukkan tidak mengambil berat terhadap autonomi, hak dan kepentingan Sarawak selepas mereka dipilih ke parlimen. - Utusan Borneo

See: Allow political party reps to register new voters

KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) should reconsider its earlier decision and allow appointed and trained representatives from political parties to become assistant registration officers (ARO) to register new voters.

Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said from the figures that were released by the EC, the most alarming and of grave concern to all was the fact that, as of Jan 1, this year, there were 13,468,946 registered voters in the country while 4,189,754 eligible voters in the country had yet to be registered and hence would be unable to cast their votes in the forthcoming election.

“It means that 31 per cent of Malaysians in the country are not registered voters and hence, are not eligible to vote,” See said in a press statement yesterday.

See, who is state PKR vice-chairman, said there were two serious setbacks for the country’s population of 31 million that claimed to practise parliamentary democracy.

“Firstly, only 37.5 per cent of the population, or 62.9 per cent, of all eligible voters voted in the last election in 2013 to decide the fate of this country.

“Secondly, one out of every three eligible voters is not a registered voter and hence, is not able to participate in the process of electing parliamentarians and state assembly persons.”

See stated that the situation was worse in Sarawak, as the EC figures revealed that there were 302,391 ‘Bumiputera Sarawak’ who were eligible but were not registered as voters to vote in the coming election, adding that it was estimated that there were a further 67,000 ethnic Malays and 100,000 ethnic Chinese who were above 21 years old but were not registered voters.

In the circumstances, he said almost half a million Sarawakians who were supposed to vote in the coming state election, believed to be held this April, would not be able to do so because they had not been registered as voters.

“This is serious and unacceptable. The number is more than 40 per cent of the total eligible and registered voters who can cast their votes in the coming election, and it also means that more than 30 per cent of Sarawakians who should be voting in the state election will not be able to do so.”

See, who is also state PKR election director said while the EC chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah expressed his concern that voters’ turnout in Sarawak state elections were relatively low since 1979, he should be even more concerned that the percentage of unregistered eligible voters had drastically increased over the last two years.

“The new EC chairman should initiate efforts to reform the constitutionally instituted independent commission which is entrusted to safeguard the country’s parliamentary democracy and to ensure that all eligible voters can take part in every election that are carried out in a clean and fair manner.”

He said while Mohd Hashim might take some time to lead the commission to execute and perform his roles and responsibilities that were sacrosanct and supposedly held in high esteem in any country that practised parliamentary democracy, he should reconsider and recommend to the Parliament to legislate and make legal provision for automatic registration of eligible voters.

“In the meantime, the much criticised decision of his predecessor to prohibit and disallow the appointment of EC-trained representatives from political parties to be ARO to register new voters should now be reconsidered and the decision reversed.”-Borneo Post

See: Dedicated taskforce a must to address flood situation in Sg Tabuan

KUCHING: A call has been made on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to direct the bigwigs from the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to commission a taskforce that could immediately study and look into the reasons as to why Sungai Tabuan failed to drain out water during the downpour yesterday.

Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who made this call, said the situation had caused possibly the worst flood that brought damage to the households in Kampung Tabuan Dayak and areas within its vicinity.

He said yesterday, the state capital experienced one of the worst floods that ever hit it over the last few decades.

However, he noticed that while floodwater in other parts of the city had receded by yesterday afternoon, Kampung Tabuan Dayak remained inundated.

“This is mostly due to the fact that the water level in Sungai Tabuan has remained high; hence, (it is) unable to drain out the water that has filled the drains and remained inside the houses,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

“Although many are blaming the construction works that have been carried out along the bank and in the immediate vicinity of Sungai Tabuan, I would think that the relevant ministries and departments must carry out a thorough investigation into the cause to ensure that immediate remedial works could be carried out to prevent recurrence of such ruinous flooding, which would result to costly damage to properties and also a threat to the safety of the residents.” See pointed out that the state government had carried out numerous initiatives to clean up Sungai Tabuan, but it appeared to be no effort towards ensuring that this river would better serve one of its key functions — being among the major rivers in Kuching that drain out water during floods.

“The dredging and proper embankment of Sungai Tabuan is long overdue.

“The study to improve the functions of Sungai Tabuan must be carried out; the improvement and remedial works must be implemented immediately.

“I certainly hope that the chief minister would be briefed of today’s (yesterday’s) serious flooding and necessary financial allocations be urgently made to improve the drainage in all the cities and towns in Sarawak.” - Borneo Post.

Perintah Besai patut mantu peranak Sarawak ti udah tasah ampuh bah

KUCHING: Sapit Chairman Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak, See Chee How minta Perintah Besai nyendia agih belanja ungkup Sarawak dikena ngemujur semua operasyen rambau napi penusah ampuh bah sereta bantu bukai.

Meretika Menteri Besai Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak deka datai ke Sibu ngulu Pengerami Ngelalu Pengabang Taun Baru Cina Renggat Menua malam ila, See madah penemuai nya patut mai berita manah ke lebih agi ungkup sida ke dituntung penusah ampuh bah di nengeri tu.

“Pengudah ngerami Taun Baru Cina sereta nyaguka ‘Yee Sang’, aku arap Menteri Besai ngingat lalu meratka pekara ke nyadi di Sarawak maya ke diatu,”ku iya ba seiti aum pengarang berita kemari.

See ke mega Kaban Kunsil Nengeri (ADUN) Batu Lintang ngenatai perambu diak Komiti Pengintu Penusah Nengeri meri penerang ngagai Najib sentang 2 penusah ampuh bah ke udah balat nuntung peranak ke diau ngelingi Kuching, Batu Kawah, Batu Kitang, Bau,Samarahan enggau Serian.

Najib patut dikeingat diak Perintah Besai mengkang bedau besemaya deka meri belanja dikena mantu orang tasah bah lalu pekara tu enda ulih diterima,tandu See.

Ngenang kaul ke sama,See nambah Komiti Pengintu Penusah Nengeri udah bejalaika tanggung pengawa enggau manah, mindah sereta nyelamat mansa rambau napi penusah.

Ketegal nya See ngarap Najib ulih nyendia agih belanja ungkup komiti ngambi tau dikena nyendia perengka sereta ngangkatka pengulih kereja komiti.

“Kelimpah ari nya, Najib nega patut enggau lengkas ngagih bantu belanja ngagai sida ke tasah bah ngambi tau ngelempung belanja meresi,ngemanah rumah sereta nganti perengka ke udah rusak.

“Iya mega patut enggau lengkas ngemendar projek nyeliah penusah bah ‘Flood Mitigation’ di serata nengeri ke udah diperambu,”ku See.

Nitihka penerang ari See, projek nya udah lama diperambu lalu patut udah tembu betaun ke udah.

Berindik enggau nya lalu dikena nyeliah penusah ampuh bah, See ngarap Menteri Besai ngembuan komitmen ngelengkas mungkal semua projek tu, digaga sereta ditembu.-BORNEO POST

Address pressing issues Sarawak faces, PM told

KUCHING: It is hoped that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would not waste the opportunity to do something concrete for Sarawakians during his visit to Sibu this weekend for the national-level Chinese New Year celebration.

The premier has been urged to make substantial federal allocations to the state for its flood relief operations and assistance to expedite the implementation and completion of flood mitigation projects and address the issue of overcrowding at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

Batu Lintang assemblyman and state PKR vice-chairman See Chee How made this call during a press conference at PKR Stampin service centre here yesterday.

“As the prime minister and other VVIPs perform the ‘yee sang’ or prosperity toss at the celebration, he should be reminded that most Sarawakians are not sharing his wishful rhetoric on prosperity.

“Sarawakians are made poorer and suffering the strains of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The persistent neglect and delay in federal allocations to Sarawak for provision of basic amenities and infrastructural development in the state will continue to accelerate Sarawakians’ cynicism and revulsion towards the federal government.

“After the hype of the ‘yee sang’ tossing, I hope the prime minister would come back to reality and address the pressing issues faced by Sarawakians. Don’t just come here to eat and go back,” he said.

See pointed out that Najib should be briefed on the two recent ruinous floods affecting the state capital and its surroundings, and be reminded that the federal government had yet to pledge any financial allocation to the state for its flood relief assistance.

“The State Disaster Relief Committee must be commended for their excellent response in carrying out the evacuation of flood victims and its relief works. I am hopeful the prime minister would make substantial allocation for the committee to beef up its facilities across the state.

“He (Najib) should also take note of the damage to access roads and public facilities and amenities. Although it has not been disclosed, I believe it (the damage) is quite substantial. He must make sure that allocations are there for reconstruction and restoration works. He should also make immediate financial allocation for all flood-affected families.

“It is also crucial for him to make a personal commitment to expedite the implementation, construction and completion of flood mitigation projects for all cities, towns and low-lying areas in Sarawak,” he said.

On the overcrowding at SGH, See proposed for Najib to immediately allocate funds to improve the infrastructural facilities in and around the hospital.

“The proposed multi-storey carpark promised by the government has yet to kick off.Petra Jaya Hospital, which is scheduled for completion by now, is still in its early stage of construction. The Sarawak Heart Centre has not (been able to) alleviate the congestion faced by SGH.

“We really hope that the prime minister would come with material support to address all these problems — not just make more empty promises to Sarawakians,” he said.-Borneo Post

See proposes state cabinet committee on flood mitigation

KUCHING: Sarawak should have a state cabinet committee that focuses on flood mitigation plans and programmes as flooding is a major public concern.

Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who made the suggestion, said the public, particularly those who live by the rivers and low-lying areas, would become fearful every time it rains continuously for several hours.

“The threats of flash floods and the damage to homes and properties will increasingly

weigh on the people and the government, unless preventive and mitigation measures are promptly deliberated and put in place,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

“The frequent occurrence of flash floods in the state in recent months and the extent of damage caused to the families and state certainly call for a strong political will and immediate actions to resolve this issue.”

See, who is also state PKR vice chairman, said ideally the state cabinet committee on flood mitigation should be headed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

“Unless it is headed by Adenan, I don’t know whether it (flood mitigation plans and programmes) will be expedited and whether it will be seriously considered and completed promptly.”

He added that the committee should also comprise relevant ministers and heads of departments from all relevant ministries, such as resources planning, environment, housing, industrial and land development.

Departments like the Drainage and Irrigation, Public Works, State Planning Authority, Land and Survey and local authorities should also be in the mix.

See opined Adenan should not rely too much on State Disaster Relief Committee chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang as the latter had not been seen at any flood relief efforts during the last two floods in Kuching, Samarahan and Bau.

“We are talking about flood mitigation project and measures to prevent and mitigate flood. If we leave it to Jabu, I’m sure the project will not materialise.”

See stressed that policies and guidelines, particularly for urban development, housing, and the clearing of land and forests in the upstream of cities and towns, riverbanks and within the vicinity of cities and towns should be re-examined, revised and improved due to changing physical landscapes.

Of utmost importance and urgency is formulating and designing drainage master plans for all cities and towns in the state to curb the problems of flash floods.

“The state government should quickly look into developing and improving existing drainage system and devise plans to straighten, deepen, widen and cement the banks and substrates to form canals or monsoon drains in the cities, towns and suburban centres.”

See said flooding in many housing estates and commercial centres had been shown to be

due to poor planning and lack of strategic environmental and physical infrastructural development guidelines for consideration and approval of new building and land development projects, causing natural streams and waterways to be earth filled and diverted, to the detriment of others.

“We seek explanations from the government on the progress of the implementation of the proposed flood mitigation project to divert excess water from upstream of Sarawak River into the Salak River.

“The proposed project, budgeted to cost a hefty RM1.6 billion, to construct a 8.2km diversion canal and a dyke had been raised over the last decades and work was said to have started in 2009. The chief minister should check with the Public Works Department and reveal the progress of this project.”-Borneo Post

PKR welcomes Adenan’s response to JPA funding

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has welcomed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s prompt response to offer assistance to tertiary students facing Public Service Department (JPA) funding uncertainties.

Adenan had instructed Yayasan Sarawak to find ways to help the students. State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How said it is a relief that Yayasan Sarawak has been instructed to look into the plight of the students and encouraged them to register with the foundation.

“Even though the priority of Yayasan Sarawak sponsorships and scholarships are for higher learning institutions in the country, many renowned world universities and colleges have their campuses in Malaysia and offer their courses and programmes in collaboration with our local university colleges. Many of the students are still able to study for the degree courses of their choices,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.

He called on the state to exhaust all means to assist studious and bright Sarawakian students so they can further their studies in the subjects of their choice and contribute to the future of the state.

“Even though the country is facing economic challenges, we should not compromise or hold up the finance for crucial and fundamental sectors. Education for our future generation is one of such essential sectors. It is not just the livelihoods and life of themselves, they are the keys for a greater nation,” he said.

See also called for the development and enhancement of tertiary education institutions in the state such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS).

“This is to ensure that more essential courses, programmes and subjects are being taught and offered, to ensure that tertiary education in various fields are cheaper and more readily available in Sarawak. Education is an especially essential and rewarding investment as the benefits for our children will transform to befit the interests of our nation state in the inevitably increasing global economy.”-Borneo Post

‘Coming state polls litmus test for 2018 general election'

KUCHING: The coming state election will be a very important one for Pakatan Harapan, as it will be a prelude to the nation’s most important general election in 2018, says Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How.

Considering the importance of the coming state election, See believed that all partners of state Pakatan Harapan would try their best to resolve any differences and come up with a mechanism to resolve overlapping claims on constituencies they wish to contest in.

“I have full trust in the leadership of all the component parties of state Pakatan Harapan that everyone wants to resolve this issue (overlapping claims). I believe there is surely a solution to any problem,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

See, who is state PKR vice chairman and election director, was asked to comment on the overlapping claims on constituencies among the state Pakatan Harapan partners. Besides PKR, other partners in the coalition are DAP and Amanah.

He revealed that state PKR had exchanged the list of constituencies that the party wanted to contest in the coming state election with state DAP (on Dec 21 last year) and state Amanah (on Dec 30 last year).

“The first phase is for us to identify the areas and starting this month, we will be having a formal meeting to try to resolve the overlapping constituencies. However, we have not decided on the date yet.”

To a question, See said there were not many overlapping claims between PKR and DAP. He, however, declined to reveal the number as Pakatan Harapan partners had an understanding not to reveal the details.

See said state Pakatan Harapan would do its best to ensure a one-on-one fight with BN, adding: “because our common enemy is BN, not PKR against DAP or PKR against Amanah”.

To another question, he said SWP had not approached PKR for negotiation on constituencies.

Meanwhile, See refused to comment on the assessment by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) dean of Social Science Faculty Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir that popular support for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had increased to 84 per cent in October last year from 74 per cent in April.

“It was his own assessment. I don’t know where he got the figures from so I don’t want to speculate on that.”

He, however, admitted that Adenan, compared to his predecessor, was more popular, especially among urban voters.

“Of course, we can say that he enjoys very high popularity but we don’t have the latest figure because the last one was done in April last year so we are not sure how it is now.” - Borneo Post

Why the deafening silence from S’wak leaders on NSC Act?

COMMENT: Since the passing of the National Security Act, key Sarawak leaders have not commented anything on the Act or on the state’s demand for autonomy in education, taxation and health, devolution of powers and the call for hgher gas royalty from 5% to 20%.

Neither have Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) leaders like Abdul Karim Hamzah and Dr Stephen Rundi said anything about the Act. Usually they are the first ones who would comment on anything that is controversial. But not this time. Why?

Only Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president and Senator Dr Sim Kui Hian and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president and Land Development Minister Dr James Masing did express some concerns about the Act.

Even then their comments came after it was passed in Parliament. But what is the point of making such comments when their MPs supported the Bill? Did they merely want to be heard?

Without the support of the MPs from Sarawak (25 from BN and six from the Opposition), the bill might not have been passed. But there you are, all the 25 BN MPs gave their support.

Did the instruction to support the Bill come from Chief Minister Adenan?

So the general public and the Opposition are asking if this could be the reason why the chief minister is silent over this Bill, which the general public fears, will derail Sarawak’s demand for autonomy in education, taxation and heath as well as higher oil and gas royalty?

Under the Act, Najib’s power to declare any area as “security area” is similar to the power to impose curfew in the days of the communist insurgency.

As Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen put it: “The Act can be used to justify suppression by the federal government against Sarawak, especially on our autonomy movement in Sarawak.

“The prime minister may use the excuse that the 20% royalty to Sarawak will greatly reduce the revenue of the federal government and thereby cause economic instability to the country, and thus suppress all demands for 20% oil and gas royalties,

“The prime minister may also use the excuse that it will undermine the status of Bahasa Malaysia and thereby affect the socio-political stability of the country or even use the excuse of affecting ‘national unity’ to go against the state government’s said decision,” said Chong, the MP for Bandar Kuching and Kota Sentosa assemblyperson.

He said Najib may also use the excuse that it affects the socio-political stability of the country and declare Sarawak as a “security area” whereby the security forces will take over the running of the state government.

On the state’s demands for greater autonomy, Najib’s answer to that will be to use as an excuse under the “territorial integrity” to declare Sarawak as a “security area”.

Chong said the state leaders’ silence on the Act and the support given by the BN MPs to the Act will certainly put a dent in Adenan’s “hero image”.

“He may be the No. 1 hero in Sarawak, having the courage to speak against the Umno, but ultimately when his MPs go to Parliament, they have to toe Umno’s line, to the detriment of Sarawak’s interest,” he said.

As chief minister and lawyer, there is no reason to say that Adenan is unaware of the potential threat of the NSC to Sarawak.

Chong’s colleague, Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei shares similar concerns when he described the Act as tending “to destroy the movement initiated by Sarawakian for Independence and Autonomy”.

Wong said that the NSC Act moved by the Najib’s administration will be used by the Barisan National government to suppress Sarawakians, even to the extent that the prime minister will have absolute power under the Act to declare emergency in Sarawak.

“The NSC Act is an Act that moves the country towards dictatorship. The basic value of democracy will be destroyed.

“The Act is a tool used by the BN government to destroy the people’s voice. Yet, Sarawak MPs and Senators supported the passing of the Act.

“It shows that the Sarawak Barisan National does not wish to see more autonomy for Sarawakians,” Wong added.

He said that the chief minister has to explain why he allowed his MPs and Senators to support the passing of the Act to suppress the voice of Sarawakians for greater autonomy?

Another opposition lawmaker See Chee How said that the state government should examine the consequences of the Act and to protest strongly against it.

It will make the state government subservient to the National Security Council, he said.

“This is a frontal attack on the constitutional federalism that this country is practising, a legislative scheme which was not envisaged nor intended by country’s founding fathers,” he said, urging the state government of Sarawak and Sabah to demand that this piece of federal legislature be referred to the federal court to review its constitutionality.

See, who is the Batu Lintang assemblyman and Sarawak PKR vice-chairman, felt that it is an insult that the chief ministers of Sarawak and Sabah are not included as members in the NSC.-The Ant Daily

Bajet 2016 Sarawak: Masih terdapat kekurangan-See Chee How

KUCHING: Peruntukan Bajet Negeri 2016 yang memfokuskan pembangunan luar bandar turut mendapat pelbagai reaksi daripada pihak pembangkang.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Batu Lintang See Chee How berkata memang tidak dinafikan Bajet Negeri 2016 ternyata menekankan aspek pembangunan terutama di kawasan luar bandar.

Namun, beliau tetap kurang berpuas hati dengan pembentangan itu berikutan masih terdapat kepincangan dalam merealisasikan perancangan sebelum ini.

“Masih terdapat kekurangan dan tidak ada perubahan, bahkan tiada usaha daripada kerajaan negeri yang sebelum ini sudah memfokuskan aspek integriti, ketelusan dan pembangunan.

“Lebih-lebih lagi aspek pengurusan kewangan yang baik seperti yang diumumkan oleh Ketua Menteri,” katanya.

See berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas tentang pembentangan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2016 selepas Persidangan DUN di sini, semalam.

Secara keseluruhannya, beliau mengakui kurang gembira dengan Bajet 2016 meskipun 74 peratus daripada RM8.04 bilion diperuntukkan kepada negeri Sarawak merupakan jumlah tertinggi di Malaysia bagi tujuan pembangunan.

Malah, jumlah peruntukan untuk pembangunan luar bandar merekodkan peningkatan sebanyak RM300 juta menjadikannya RM2.65 bilion berbanding peruntukan 2015 iaitu RM2.35 bilion.

Beliau berkata Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem sudah mengumumkan untuk memohon peruntukan tambahan daripada kerajaan persekutuan.

“Tetapi perkara ini masih tidak diketahui jumlahnya kerana Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak sentiasa mahu peruntukan lebih daripada apa yang diterima sebelum ini,” katanya.

Jelasnya, permohonan peruntukan tambahan tidak akan menimbulkan masalah sekiranya amalan pembangunan kewangan negeri diuruskan dengan baik.

“Adalah wajar untuk kita (Sarawak) mendapatkan lebih perutukan daripada kerajaan pusat kerana kita di sini mempunyai hasil bumi dan sumber yang besar.-Utusan Borneo

See submits three motions at assembly sitting next week

KUCHING: Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How has submitted three private member’s motions for the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) sitting beginning Dec 7.

See said his first motion proposes that the august house preserves and upholds the territorial integrity of Sarawak and notify the Federal Government that the Territorial Sea Act 2012 [Act 750] be amended and or re-enacted to provide that the Act shall not apply to the State of Sarawak.

According to him, the provisions of the Territorial Sea Act 2012 [Act 750] which was enacted by Parliament and came into effect on June 22, 2012 had altered and affected the State’s control over its territory.

“Pursuant to Article 1(3) of the Federal Constitution, the territory of the State of Sarawak is the territory comprised therein the Federation of Malaysia immediately before Malaysia Day.

“Article 2 stipulated that Parliament may by law alter the boundaries to any State but a law altering the boundaries shall not be passed without the consent of that state in a state legislature and of the Conference of Rulers.” Additionally, See pointed out that no law was passed in the Sarawak DUN to effect the altering of the boundary of Sarawak, adding that the Territorial Sea Bill 2012 tabled in Parliament did not stipulate that the prior consent of the Conference of Rulers had been obtained.

The second motion is to move the State Assembly to resolve and take constitutional and affirmative actions, to halt the consistent pattern of neglect for rural schools in Sarawak and regain autonomy in education to determine the system and policy of education in Sarawak.

The motion proposes that the august house call upon the Federal and State governments to set up a commission to look into the constitutional and legal framework and regulation of fiscal policy of the Federation for the devolution of powers to the State of Sarawak, particularly to study and propose the legislative, administrative and budgetary autonomy of Sarawak in education.

“The Sarawak State Assembly should take notice that there is a need to halt the consistent pattern of neglect for rural schools in Sarawak which has begotten our school children to generally perform below par and unable to compete with their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.”

See also wants the DUN to express full support and commitment for the teaching of Bahasa Malaysia in all schools in Sarawak, but at the same time, to regain the state’s autonomy in education to determine the system and policy of education in Sarawak, including the restoration of English as a medium of instruction in schools thus enabling the future generations to be educated through all mediums of instructions to better compete in the global job market.

“The Sarawak State Assembly should take notice that the Malaysia Agreement has provided that legislative, executive or other action as may be required be undertaken to implement the assurances, undertakings and recommendations contained in the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee signed on Feb 27, 1963, including the safeguards that the policy and system of administration of education in Sarawak should remain under the control of the Government of Sarawak.”

The third private member’s motion is to call upon the state to take ownership of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and propel it to be a world class university. See said Unimas was presently out of the QS annual world university rankings 2015/2016 published on Sept 15.

“In the QS Asia rankings, it (Unimas) is at No. 201-250, down from No. 181-190 in 2013. Out of the 20 Malaysian public universities, it was ranked No. 7 in 2013 and No. 9 presently.”

He noted that Unimas received RM195 million or 2.67 per cent of the RM7.3 billion federal allocation for public universities in 2015-2016, adding that the other 13 universities were allocated more than Unimas.

“With her unique socio-cultural diversity, Sarawak can enable Unimas to be an international university to prioritise serving the needs of Sarawak and all her people.”-Borneo Post

See: State BN leaders should be cautiously suspicious of PBS entry

KUCHING: Leaders of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) should ponder on the intention of Parti Bersatu Sabah to spread its presence in Sarawak, and how it would operate alongside BN component parties here.

Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who is state PKR vice-chairman, highlighted the fact that it was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Sr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – not PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan – who broke the news about the party eyeing to spread its wings to Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

The deputy premier, who is also Umno vice-president, announced on Saturday that PBS could go ahead with its expansion plan following the approval from Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“The timing of the ROS approval is inopportune as Sarawak state election is just around the corner. Does this PBS move serve for the greater interests of Umno in Sarawak, or it is sending signals to Sarawak BN leadership with regard to the acceptance of leaders who have defected BN component parties and now applying to contest as BN candidates?” See said in a press statement yesterday.

The PKR man also saw PBS’ decision as a clear endorsement of a national party being the better approach to further the interests and rights of Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the people of both states.

“The most determinant factors have been the system of federalism practised in Malaysia and the fact that local East Malaysian parties are fragmented by design, with most being small in terms of numbers. These have contributed to the dominance of Umno in the BN setup, which further weakens the electoral strengthen of the state-based coalition partners in the two East Malaysian states.

“Under the present political circumstances, a coalition of national parties that embrace pluralism would ensure that the interests of East Malaysians would be better served.”

See also observed that PBS was not the first to change its course from being a state-based political entity to gaining a nationwide foothold.

He said United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) from Sabah and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) from Sarawak had earlier set up branches in Peninsular Malaysia, while State Reform Party (STAR) of Sarawak had also set up its Sabah Chapter.

“Will this PBS move fuels PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu), SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party), PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) and SPDP spreading their wings to Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia?” See noted that PBS had, through the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) of which it had much influence, set up branches nationwide, particularly in the peninsula.

He said if PBS wanted to make the cultural platform political, it would be accused of effecting the change to serve its political purposes than the greater interests of the Sabahans outside Sabah.

“However, it is inevitable for PBS to beget changes, for it to grow and maintain its political relevance. In its short history, it had won three state elections on its own — having even claimed two-thirds of all state seats in 1986 — but it was allocated only 13 seats to contest in the recent state election.

“It also has only seven assemblymen in the 60-seat Sabah State Assembly, while its coalition partner Umno won 31 out of 32 seats it contested in.”-Borneo Post

See claims Adenan’s approval rating has dropped

KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state vice-chairman See Chee How has claimed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s current approval rating would unlikely be as high as it was earlier this year.

The Batu Lintang assemblyman said various factors could contribute to a drop in Adenan’s approval rating, including his open support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Besides that, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and devaluation of ringgit have increased the hardship of the people. These are all related to Najib and BN (Barisan Nasional) and Sarawakians are affected by all these, not only West Malaysians,” See told thesundaypost and See Hua Daily News recently.

In April, the Sarawak Good Governance Public Opinion Survey conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research on 606 respondents showed Adenan’s popularity rating among the various communities as follows; 82 per cent (Muslim Bumiputera community), 74 per cent (Dayak community) and 67 per cent (Chinese community).

According to See, Adenan now has little left to help him maintain or increase his approval rating.

“His office has done well in responding to public grouses, directing the various authorities to take necessary action. However, why are those authorities not following his lead to be proactive and firm to do the necessary? There is still much to be done to improve the delivery of certain departments and authorities.

“Merdeka Centre, in their report stated that even though Adenan enjoys such a high approval rating, the votes that will swing over to BN will only be between 5 and 10 per cent. Therefore, a high approval rating will not mean that voters will vote for BN because there are also other considerations for them,” he claimed.

See said while Adenan would still be chief minister after the next state election, he would not be the only factor for Sarawakians to consider.

“The State Legislative Assembly, for the first time in history had given Adenan full backing to negotiate with the federal government to increase the oil and gas royalties from currently 5 per cent to 20 per cent.

“However, when the request had gone to the federal side, they were not willing to increase the oil and gas royalties by even 1 per cent and we only got contracts and contributions through Petronas’ corporate social responsibility,” he said.

See added that political parties are mere vehicles as the leaders are the ones who make the difference.

“At the end of the day, it is the sincerity of the leaders and their work contributing to the betterment of the people and the state that will ensure them of electoral success,” he said.-Borneo Post

Adenan perlu lihat semula hubungan dengan kerajaan persekutuan selepas Bajet 2016

KUCHING: Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem perlu melihat semula hubungan antara kerajaan negeri dan kerajaan persekutuan selepas pengumuman Bajet 2016 baru-baru ini.

Menegaskan demikian, Naib Pengerusi PKR Sarawak See Chee How berkata ini kerana kerajaan persekutuan yang dipimpin Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak telah gagal menunaikan janji kepada rakyat Sarawak.

“Perdana Menteri telah banyak kali datang ke Sarawak dan memberi retorik politik ke atas apa sahaja tuntutan yang kerajaan negeri berikan kepadanya tetapi apabila sampai ke dalam bajet dan pelaksanaan polisi, ia berbeza sepenuhnya,” katanya pada sidang media di sini, semalam.

Menurut See, Najib telah memungkiri janjinya kepada rakyat Sarawak sekali gus tidak memberi petanda baik kepada wawasan negeri yang ditetapkan oleh Adenan.

“Sama ada melibatkan autonomi dalam pendidikan, alam sekitar, pertanian, penjagaan kesihatan, penurunan kuasa dan keadilan untuk sumber minyak dan gas negeri, kita pasti tidak akan dapat mencapai semua ini,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, See berkata peluang Adenan untuk kekal menjadi Ketua Menteri selepas Pilihan Raya Negeri yang akan diadakan tidak lama lagi turut diragui.

“Beliau (Adenan) akan menjadi Ketua Menteri selama lima tahun lagi tetapi apa yang berlaku sekarang adalah berapa banyak yang beliau dapat berikan dalam tempoh tersebut jika tidak mendapat sokongan dan restu daripada kerajaan persekutuan seperti apa yang kita lihat sekarang,” katanya.

Jelas beliau, Adenan tidak mempunyai masalah untuk meraih sokongan daripada seluruh rakyat Sarawak terutama melibatkan perkara seperti autonomi dalam pendidikan serta keadilan untuk minyak dan gas.

“Bagaimanapun, kesemua 25 Ahli Parlimen BN Sarawak gagal menjalankan tugas untuk mencerminkan apa yang Adenan mahu capai untuk Sarawak,” katanya.

- Borneo Post Online

Pembangkang sifatkan Bajet 2016 gagal menepati tema

KUCHING: Pembangkang menyifatkan Bajet 2016 yang dibentangkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semalam gagal menepati tema ‘Mensejahtera Kehidupan Rakyat.’

Lebih mengecewakan menurut Timbalan Pengerusi Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak See Chee How, kerajaan pusat dalam bajet ini terus mengabaikan permintaan negeri ini untuk kenaikan bayaran loyalti minyak dan gas kepada 20 peratus.

“Ini adalah bajet kedua sejak Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sarawak meluluskan resolusi bagi mendapatkan bayaran loyalti sebanyak 20 peratus daripada kerajaan pusat.

“Meskipun kerajaan negeri mengumumkan beberapa konsensi dibuat Petronas tetapi kerajaan pusat masih gagal memenuhi permintaans serta kehendak Sarawak,” ujar ketika dihubungi semalam bagi mengulas mengenai intipati Bajet 2016.

Tambah See yang juga ADUN Batu Lintang, bajet kali ini dilihat amat tidak bertepatan dengan temanya ini kerana terlalu sedikit peruntukan memenuhi keperluan asas rakyat.

Sebaliknya menurut pemimpin pembangkang ini, sejumlah besar peruntukan adalah bagi projek mega yang tidak penting seperti projek landasan kereta api berkelajuan tinggi KL-Singapura. “Pada pandangan saya, bajet kali ini adalah lebih berupa harapan Perdana Menteri untuk menyelamatkan dirinya daripada diundi keluar dari pejabatnya.

“Malangnya, dengan tidak meletakkan kehendak rakyat sebagai keutamaan. Kegagalan beliau untuk mengetengahkan aspirasi negeri Malaysia Timur, bajet ini berisiko untuk tidak dilulus di Parlimen,” ujarnya lagi.

Walaupun unjuran harga minyak kekal rendah pada 2016, sumber ini akan masih memberi pendapatan sebanyak RM31.7 billion.

Ia jelas kerajaan pusat seharusnya memberi peruntukan khas atau geran tambahan RM4.5 billion dan RM3 billion masing-masing kepada Sarawak dan Sabah bagi mempercepatkan pertumbuhan di dua negeri ini.

“Bajet kali ini juga mendedahkan satu lagi penipuan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) bahawa mengambil langkah menurunkan kuasa kepada Sarawak dan Sabah.

“Namun bajet ini tidak menyentuh walau satu mengenai perkara ini dan ia adalah satu lagi janji kosong kerajaan BN kepada Sarawak dan Sabah,” katanya.-Utusan Borneo

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